A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated materials including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were found, and his family member alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior said the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the law enforcement once more.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
